Two sign agreement to strengthen film industry

The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) has signed a three-year partnership agreement with an international company that manufactures imaging equipment to strengthen the film and photography industry in Ghana.

The company, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), as part of the agreement, will support capacity building of practitioners in the film and photography industry through workshops, seminars and field works.

Canon is also expected to provide equipment such as cameras, lenses, video cameras, among other equipment, for practical production work and assist NAFTI to enhance its ability to deliver cutting-edge courses and professional skills for its students.

Job creation

At a news conference to announce the partnership between the two organisations in Accra yesterday, the Re

ctor of NAFTI, Professor Linus Abraham, said the ultimate goal of the partnership was to help create jobs in the industry in the medium to long term.

“A major objective of the collaboration will be the development of young creative talents in Ghana to find employment in the film and photography industry. The project will work to find young Ghanaian talents to mentor them as part of the workshop,” he said.

The protect aims at exposing filmmakers and photographers to cutting–edge professional technology used internationally.It will also introduce the students, as well as professionals in the industry, to internationally acclaimed experts in the field.

While building relationships with professionals in the film and photography community in Ghana, Prof. Abraham indicated further that the Canon brand would also be promoted and its commercial relationship enhanced in Ghana.

Prof. Abraham said NAFTI took advantage of such partnerships to build professional skills and knowledge in the industry in its quest to modernise the institute and bring it up to speed with global standards in filmmaking and photography.

Considering the reputation of Canon all over the world, Prof. Abraham expressed optimism that the company would be working to support NAFTI and to enhance its ability to deliver cutting-edge courses and professional skills for its students.

Canon manager

The Sales Manager for Canon Central and North Africa, Mr Amine Djouahra, said in his address that the agreement was a significant milestone to strengthening skills and knowledge in photography and filmmaking in Ghana.

“We are committed to launching innovative programmes that help provide the knowledge and skills needed to promote creative talent and drive the growth of a vibrant local industry,” he added.